This word is one of the words the fingers/hand write on the wall during the reign of Belshazzar of Babylon (Danile 5).
I don't know why this hit me so hard, probably because of a recent run-in with my besetting sin. But for some reason I find this word one of the most comforting and convicting words in scripture.
Each one of us is weighed on the scales and found wanting. Every one of us. But think about yourself. By yourself you stand on the scales, stepping on timidly hoping in what good you've done. But the scales begin to tip and you realize that you are the farthest from sufficient there is. You look out and see the Father, knowing His wrath will be upon you.
But instead, Jesus, takes a step onto the scales and they quickly rush in the opposite direction, His grace covering you insufficiency.
Again, I don't know why this hits me the way it does but it is freeing in a couple of ways.
First, I no longer have to pretend I have it all together. Growing up in a Christian home, being an A student at a Christian university, being on student government and advocating for the poor. All these things coalesce into me thinking I need to be showing outward perfection at all times. I have a friend that practically thinks I don't sin because I have perfecting this outward show so well.
But in reality I am a whitewashed tomb just like the pharisees, my heart still wanders after guilty pleasures and sins of the flesh. And I can admit this because it doesn't stop there. God has cleaned me and is making me new on the inside. So I can spread this unabashed joy with the world. God please help me in doing this and not getting wrapped up in self. Let them see in me your grace and forgiveness.
Secondly, it is freeing because it gives me no grounds for judging others. IT IS SO FREEING!
On the way back from the sanddunes trip I was tired, driving for hours, and hit construction. As usual the 2 lane road closed to one, but not for miles after the initial signs. I, being a rule follower get into the lane like most others. But you'd see other people gunning it down the other lane trying to get further up before cutting over into the correct lane. This infuriated me beyond belief and I would not for the life of me let this one Texas license plate guy in! I just could not share or even think of the grace I had received when he was being so blatantly... wrong! My friend sitting next to me tried to convince me to let him in but I refused. I refused grace because I didn't see him as repentant.
How miserable of me. But now, out of the heat of the moment and with the TEKEL word running through my mind and written on my hand, I see how ungracious I was for such a minor thing. I have no room to judge anyone, none at all. Instead I should be sharing love with those who need it most.
Who today needs it most? Is it people who feel unloved by Christian's response to the Chick-fil-A fiasco of 2012? Is it the person in the office who you just can't stand?
Let us come together to shine as lights, as the most painfully aware that they are "wanting" yet saved by grace.
If you haven't read "What's so amazing about grace" by Philip Yancey, either find a copy or find me and you can use mine, but it is a great book.
On that note I'll leave you with a question. What situations lately has the Lord been pricking you about where you did not show grace to a fellow TEKEL human being? Please share the story.
Thanks,
Just Some Thoughts
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